Suspension Upgrade! Bilstein B8 with H&R lowering springs on my 911

[@Engineerboy100]

Good job on the video, impressive work, good job. Thanks for posting. It a lot of fun to watch other people to some some of the jobs I have done or plan to do, totally different perspective when watching others; loved it!

[@996Revival]

You’re gonna enjoy the difference🙂

[@motorsandmeats88]

Thanks Clint! I think I’ve watched a thousand hours of 996 content on KZbin 😂

[@996Revival]

Nice job! I would’ve been so tempted to clean out the wheel wells but I bet it was too hot to play around all day lol Iove the feel of B8s and the H&R springs. I also got Elephant Racing lower control arms and rear adjustable toe links and now I don’t ever wanna touch it. Now, I need to get back on the track with the setup. Well done!

[@motorsandmeats88]

Whoops! Somehow I missed this comment earlier. Yeah, original plan was to detail the wheels and wheel wells while I was in there, but I let the heat talk me out of it!

[@996Revival]

@@motorsandmeats88 I don’t blame you brother! Dirt don’t slow you down but heat sure does lol

[@nickplaks1]

Did either of you guys have knocking after installing the h and r b8 combo?

[@motorsandmeats88]

Hey Nick. Just answered over on your other comment. Anyone else looking for this info, scroll through the comments and look for Nick’s other comments. Thanks!

[@996Revival]

@@nickplaks1 none at all

[@SkidRo007]

Great video - perfect timing. My H&R springs and B8's got delivered yesterday. Installation this weekend. Thanks.

[@motorsandmeats88]

Awesome! Please do report back and let us know your impressions.

[@wesleycarusos8225]

Well I thought about coilovers and I ended up getting this setup. They will be in on Thursday and hope to have them installed in about a week. I can tell you that when I did a similar setup on my Boxster S that it was in bad need of an alignment.

[@motorsandmeats88]

I had mine done for peace of mind. I guess I’m about a year on now with this set up and still loving it.

[@johnhamill8687]

I had same set up on my C4S - H&R's lower more than advertised - I could no longer get car up driveway without scraping. Went down over 1.5", just too much. Went to ROW spring which brought it up an inch again, much better.

[@motorsandmeats88]

I’ve heard that as well. I know I have a 997.2 Carrera S. It’s it’s a little lower than the standard Carrera and I’m already scrubbing a little bit in places that I’ve never scrubbed in my 996 on H&R lowering springs… But I still want to lower this car. Lol. I must be crazy.

[@juddbarber2326]

Was just considering this same setup -- you have me fully convinced. Great video!

[@motorsandmeats88]

Ha. Thanks! Go for it, and let me know your thoughts when it’s done!

[@jeancavalie3179]

Thanks for sharing Michael. Still looking forward to meeting some day.

[@motorsandmeats88]

Hey! I’ll actually be in Pensacola next week, but I won’t have the car with me this time 😕.

[@zachleckie9433]

Sweet! I think those are the shocks and struts I'll run with my Eibach springs.

[@motorsandmeats88]

Good stuff. You’ll like it

[@natemallory9141]

I have the exact same setup on my Porsche and it’s a 9.5 out of 10 for static height non coilovers. Helluva lot cheaper too. The only time it’s uncomfortable is anything resembling cobble stone like surfaces.

[@motorsandmeats88]

I’m a couple hundred miles in so far with this set up and completely agree. The parking lot that I mentioned was rough was very old asphalt that you could describe as being almost like cobblestone.

[@erolfox]

If the damper was blown out (oil gone) it won't slow the spring, so might feel even softer ride but easier to hit the bump stop.

[@motorsandmeats88]

Yeah it was bouncy and squishy. With lowering springs, the bounce felt like vibration almost.

[@jase9702]

Great guide! I'm looking to replace my stock B4's + springs with the same setup as this. Did you not have to get all 4 wheels rebalanced after installation ?

[@motorsandmeats88]

Thanks for watching! Not balanced, but aligned.

[@jase9702]

@@motorsandmeats88 Thanks!

[@JAYREAD]

Well played! Why did I think you have to remove the axle / hub nut to get the strut out on the rears?

[@motorsandmeats88]

Thanks! Maybe it’s that way on some other cars. The only other car I’ve changed rear shocks on was an Infiniti FX35, and it was stupid easy. The shock didn’t even go inside of a spring on that one.

[@JAYREAD]

@@motorsandmeats88 I’ve got to do this on the Boxster and I’m a bit worried about it! Guess I’ll figure it out!

[@motorsandmeats88]

@@JAYREAD I’m sure it’s just about the same as the 911. The front is identical at least. Just plan to get greasy!

[@ksteak27]

Question for you Michael: Would you recommend upgrading to this setup (given the cost and install) if your stock stuff is still in good working order? ie is it worth it if you did not already need to refresh the suspension? Enjoyed the video!

[@motorsandmeats88]

Absolutely. It’s a sports car after all, and this really adds to that character. If your car came with the M030 suspension option, then this is just about the same setup as that. FCP Euro sells a package deal with the lowering springs and the B8 shocks for about $1500. But if you want to step into it smaller than that like I did, I really didn’t see any problem using the stock shocks. If I can sum up the change to the B8’s simply, I’d say it feels … right. It’s definitely less bouncy, I feel no over-the-top stiffness, and the cornering is fantastic.

[@shughes911]

How low does it sit with the H&Rs? I think i am going with Eibachs. I only want a 1inch drop. thx

[@motorsandmeats88]

The front came down about 1 1/2”, and the back came down about 1”. I’ll post some before and after pics. If you’re subscribed they should show up in your feed shortly. Thanks for watching!

[@shughes911]

You have definitely inspired me to work on mine 👍

[@motorsandmeats88]

@@shughes911 nice! I enjoy wrenching on the thing almost as much as I enjoy driving it

[@dmdcarrera]

Are you supposed to omit front bump stops with h&r/b8?

[@motorsandmeats88]

Not that I’m aware of. If I understand the idea correctly, it still should have the same bottoming-out limits, but the starting point, if you will, is just closer to that bottoming-out point; less range of motion.

[@rodricksmalling4412]

Hey Micheal,good job 👍🏿.. I had a question, only H&R lowering springs can be used ? how about Summit Racing?

[@motorsandmeats88]

Hi Rod. I have not looked into the Summit Racing springs. I know there are other options, so I would imagine the B8’s would work with those too.

[@rodricksmalling4412]

@@motorsandmeats88 yea was just wandering if that’s the Summit racing spring’s are stiffer? then H&R? Will find out when I get my B8 ..

[@K1dPhresh1]

I’ve always been too scared to try springs myself. Mostly because you need to compress them and I don’t trust those spring compressors / myself. I’ve been thinking about maybe lowering my Carrera S. I’m on Bilstein B-somethings (Can’t remember if they are B6 or B8) but that was done by the previous owner. I have PASM so I’m not sure how that is affected by lowering….. Anyways, alignment needed?

[@motorsandmeats88]

The spring compressor was way simpler than I’d imagined. That was my first time to use it. When I did the lowering springs, I had a ton of help from a friend with a shop and a hydraulic spring compressor. With PASM, there’s just more sensors to remove and re-install. I would imagine yours are B6 which is the performance shock for standard springs. And yup, alignment is needed when you lower. Everything gets off pretty badly, so plan to get to an alignment shop right away. It really wasn’t a hard job; just a bit fiddly getting things to line up with the pry bar and jacks. Go for it!

[@K1dPhresh1]

@@motorsandmeats88 Yeah, I think B6 is what the PO told me. If I do decide to lower it, I’ll be taking it to somebody to do it. That and brake fluid changes are things I don’t like to mess with. But I might get one of those pressurized bleeders and give that a shot.

[@motorsandmeats88]

@@K1dPhresh1 I haven’t done a brake flush myself either, but I need to change out to some that can handle some hire temps. I was just looking up my next track day 😬.

[@K1dPhresh1]

@@motorsandmeats88 I’m seriously thinking of dropping my sump and trying my hand a the borescope to see how my cylinders look. Based on how that works out I might take it to the track. Fingers crossed.

[@motorsandmeats88]

@@K1dPhresh1 no better way to find out what these cars are capable of than at a track day!

[@stephenauty2402]

So my 996 Turbo is quite a soft ride, there's some body roll but I quite like that, but would this be a good option for my car if I wanted it a bit more flat in the corners?

[@motorsandmeats88]

That’s correct. But the Bilstein shocks and struts do such a good job of it that even though the ride is more firm than stock, it doesn’t bang or jolt around like you might would think. At speed, the ride is really really nice. Driving slowly in a bumpy parking lot… you feel it all.

[@dmeisterwoods]

You might’ve just helped me nearly make a decision! I don’t own a porsche or a garage lol but I’ve been teetering b/t B6 with stock springs or B8 + lowerings springs. Not sure if I’ll like the stiffness on these rough IL roads especially during the harsh winter even if B8s will diminish the jolting around over bumps. But that smaller wheel gap would be SO visually satisfying

[@motorsandmeats88]

@@dmeisterwoods I really think the lowered setup feels how it OUGHT to have been set up from the factory. And I drive this thing literally all over the country. Couldn’t recommend it enough!

[@dmeisterwoods]

That def makes sense for your car. I have a mere sedan that I’ve making to feel “sportier” but I’m not sure if i want to sacrifice the little comfort i have left since it’s my only car. Thanks for the advice tho!

[@motorsandmeats88]

@@dmeisterwoods yeah B6 all the way. It’ll improve the handling still.

[@nickplaks1]

Hey Michael, any issues with alignment in the rear with that lowering height that the H and R provide?

[@motorsandmeats88]

It’s nearly at the limit of what’s possible to get it aligned without changing out some of the chassis components for gt3 or aftermarket that provide additional adjustment. But it works and no extra tire wear. I gave the alignment shop the M030 alignment spec to go by.

[@nickplaks1]

Awesome. Thanks!

[@nickplaks1]

What size wheels and tires are you running?

[@motorsandmeats88]

@@nickplaks1 they are 19x9 in front and 19x11 in rear. The rear tires are 285/30/19, allowing them to clear the fenders. Those wheels were made with a narrow body option and a wide body option. These were the wide body option.

[@nickplaks1]

@@motorsandmeats88 Thanks. They look good!

[@boffam00]

Great vid! I also have H&R’s with the stock shocks, and this is the exact upgrade I was considering! Part of me hoped that the ride would be a little less stiff but oh well. Hey did the shocks come with new bump stops? Mine are shot.

[@motorsandmeats88]

Thanks! They didn’t come with the bump stops, so order a set of those too with your shocks. My front ones were completely gone!

[@Rich.Aardvark]

Ricky Gervais

[@motorsandmeats88]

Lol. Do I look like him or something?

[@stephenauty2402]

@@motorsandmeats88 No you don't , very odd suggestion

[@motorsandmeats88]

@@stephenauty2402 ha. I was very confused by his comment.